Probably worth picking up some information on "even better if" to pass on to the organizers. I'm considering riding again next year, but two definite improvements would include:
1. LUGGAGE HANDLING IN THE RAIN - Even with green garbage bags my stuff was soaked. The driest clothes I had were the ones I cycled in in the rain. You could wring out my sleeping bag. Its not like the rain was a surprise, but it appeared there was no good plan for handling the luggage as I know many were in the same boat I was.
2. Better finishing venue. As I had a glass of wine Sunday night looking at the lights and the Quebec summer festival from the restaraunt at the top of Lowes, I couldn't help but think that the Plains of Abraham would have been such a better finishing venue than the suburban convention centre where the ride finished.
I would have liked to have seen "distance to go" numbers on some of the route marker arrows nearing the end of each day's ride, just to give an indication of how much was left to do.
Have the police escort move a bit faster? I guess the slower speed kept the group more compact & reduced the amount of time the roads had to be closed, but it would have allowed us to arrive earlier (maybe less soaked).
These are not big things, so I guess that's a compliment to the organization.
Overall, I thought the event went extremely well. The organizers thought of everything. I especially liked the bike security people who biked with us and stopped traffic at intersections, all the volunteers who helped us make the journey, and all the great services provided along the way.
You are right about wet luggage. There were tarps on top and on bottom; the trick would have been to have the bottom tarps smaller than the top tarps. Any camper knows that the water has to go somewhere . In this case, it leaked from the top tarps to the bottom tarps to the dry bags. I can see two ways of handling it in the future: 1) The luggage could be put in a tent or indoors. I have no clue on the logistics. Maybe the Yoga tent ? 2) or, the luggage could have been put inside the tents. This would cause a bit of planning and setup work.
I was lucky. I packed all my stuff in canoe camping dry bags. I happen to have them at home. I am guessing that most folks don't have them or they would have used them.
I like your idea of the plains of Abraham for a finish line but that last hill up to them might have logistic and elevation problems for a portion of the riders.
My suggestion for next year is for the orientations to have riders who did it this year at the sessions. The session I attended was hosted by a very nice young lady who had no clue on how the weekend would unfold. She could not answer any questions, just refer us to the ride coaches. I for one would gladly share my experiences.
....I should add that overall I thought it was an incredibly well organized event.
One more suggestion though....more traffic control on the last few kilometres. There were some busy intersections and lots of traffic, but no real indication anywhere that there were 1800 riders coming through who had just ridden from Montreal.
All through the course there was lots of control at most turns and intersections, but it all seemed to vanish on the outskirts of Quebec City!
I'm in again for next year - and I also thought that I wouldn't mind helping at some orientation sessions if they need me. As a survivor - I proudly had the yellow flag on my bike all the way. But honestly - during the thunder storm - I had my own personal lightning rod! It also rubbed against my butt for 280 km!! I know alot of survivors who just didn't put it on their bike (when you're counting the ounces - it's too heavy). The flapping sound all the way was a tad annoying too. I still didn't want to take it off - but still - I strongly suggest a different colored ride jersey to identify survivors for next year. I also would have liked 5 km to next pit stop, 2 km to next pit stop on the signage along the route. The distances in the booklet didn't quite meet up with the actual distances... A couple were more than 5 km further than what was written. That can be frustrating for non-bikers like me that really need the breaks! I think that we should have had the route before the morning of. It's not like it was changing - those were printed booklets that aren't done overnight... An e-mail to the riders showing the route would have been appreciated a week before in order to allow our friends and family to figure out how to come and cheer for us... If you're worried about security - you have to hope that none of the participants would pass on the information to anyone who would want to do us harm!??! Yes - more awareness in the small towns we were going through would have been nice. Probably impossible - but when I had a chance - I tried to spread the word... Also agree with a little more traffic control right near the end. For the luggage - we put everything inside garbage bags in our luggage and although the luggage was soaked - everything inside did stay dry... But I really think the only solution to that would be to have the luggage inside the building (like at the finish line!) Transportation for those not staying at camp was difficult. Having friends and family find their own way out to Quebec and back was difficult. I was thinking that a Montreal-Trois-Rivieres and back to Montreal would make more sense logistically... Then you don't have to truck and bus everyone back... We could go along the north shore and return along the south... Friends and family could be waiting for us like they do for the Breast Cancer walk... Just some ideas. All in all I had a most awesome experience and can't wait to do it again next year!!!
There are a lot of good suggestions here. Another I would add is a cover/tent for the bikes in the event of rain. I found it totally surprising that a biking event had no regard for the bikes in this respect. Our bikes were rained on heavily for hours, which put a damper on my day at camp. I'm sure those with really expensive bikes found that a tough pill to swallow as did those who invested readying their bikes for the event. We need to care for the bikes too!
I too was a bit miffed that my luggage was under a tarp in the pouring rain while other colored dots remained inside the trucks-definitely the Trois-Rivières venue was not up to par for this kind of organization-see massive mud pits everywhere on camp by the time we arrived-maybe near a concrete parking lot/arena next time would be better.
Also the set up of showers at the arrival with the tents at the other end of camp? That was a weird set up.
One thing I would change: I do wish they would offer us the option to pay for meal tickets for our families/friends following us during the weekend - Did you all see the MARTIN'S RIDE car? That was my sister-in-law, my niece and my daughter--they followed us all weekend! Weren't they great?! They should have been allowed to partake in our beverages/food-even if it meant me paying more--a little silly that after spending all day Saturday in the rain with us-the kids weren't allowed to dinner at the tents with me. (I ended up going twice at the buffet so I could feed them..silliness.) I understand the logistics-but there should be an option for them also.
That being said - we live,we learn, AND we all knew they were short on crew and volunteers before the Ride this year-so Im sure it was all done to the best of their capacities and I applaud their efforts given the conditions. Loved, loved, loved the rolling brigadiers btw! They not only kept people in check, but helped out along the way with my bike, with a laugh and a smile always.
I must say I was totally impressed with the entire weekend, from the READY, SET, RIDE (pass the Kleenex) to the way the security cyclists helped on blocking the roads.
The only hick-up in the weekend was the rain. The only thing that I think could have been done was put them; 1. In the tents; 2. Under a big tent;
Both require more volunteers, Pass on the Word for 2010. We all seen what the volunteers did with what they had, just imagine if there were more of them. I think they were amazing. Great job.
The other for a possible rain, would be getting a indoor facility (school for example).
I agree with; - jk, cover the bikes, there is a lot of money just sitting out in the rain. - Diane (DDK) like other events, give the riders a different color shirt, and not a "lightning rod" (I am still lol about that one) - everyone that mentioned "distance to go", it would get the legs going when you need them to.
But with all that, I still can't wait until RTCC 2010!!! Hope to see everyone there.
The yellow information signs should have both languages the same size, squinting to read the english was a safety hazard and we had lots of participants from outside of Quebec. And I would suggest every vehicle participating in the ride be very well marked and all exactly the same way so we know who to flag down if in need.
OTHERWISE BRAVO the event was fantastic and very well run.
I vote for: Covers over the bikes in the event of rain again.(I didn't say that!) Different colored shirts for the survivors. Ride to 3 rivers and back. shower vans closer to tents.
I felt a little let down there there was no closing ceramonies if the route was to trois riviere and back we could have the opening and closing ceramonies at the olympic statium. That would be nice.
No matter I've signed up too for next year. Here we go again.
Psychologically, the fact that we were going to Quebec City was a boost to me on the ride. I understand how departing and arriving in Montreal could ease the logistics, but it would diminish the event and the accomplishment a little from my perspective.
If the organizers wanted to do it though, a north shore/south shore route I'm sure could be beautiful.
That's how it is for the Walk - to Dorval one day and back the next.. Let me tell you - and I still get the chills and the lump in my throat after doing it for four years- there is something about seeing the Big O getting closer and closer and THE PEOPLE who line the streets!! Clapping, thanking you...and the ROAR of all the people waiting for us as we enter the Big O...its insane. The closing ceremony-which allows us to be with everyone who did the walk-lots of tears and hugging, and an opportunity to applaud and thank all the great volunteers, road staff, med staff.
